John Blavo founded this firm in 1997. He specialises in Sports Law, Employment Law, Criminal Litigation, Mental Health Law and NHS Law.

He is a member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal, a former Mental Health Commission. He also sits as a legal member of various Homicides Inquiries and lectured extensively on Human Rights Law and Mental Health Law.

He holds a Master of Laws Degree in Law and Employment Relations. He has also acted for a number of well known Sports personalities and organisations including small to medium size business.

His experience and commitment to the Law is immense, having dedicated most of his career in either defending the rights of individuals or helping to advise business or organisations.

BALBIR BAINS is the Head of the Criminal Department, and qualified in 1998, although she has been involved in criminal defence work since 1995.  She joined Blavo & Co in 2002 as head of the Criminal Department and became Partner in 2004.  She is a very experienced advocate and police station advisor who is currently a member of both the police station and court duty solicitor schemes.  Her experience in criminal defence work is extensive and varied.   She has dealt with offences ranging from driving offences and theft to very high profile cases including multi-handed murders, conspiracies to supply drugs and international frauds with alleged terrorist links.

BARBARA SIMULA graduated in Italian Law and did her CPE and LPC in the UK and qualified as a Solicitor in 2004. Barbara is an advocate and police station advisor who is currently a member of both the police station and court duty solicitor schemes. She is also a member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel and she represents clients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.

GILLIAN KOSHI BLAVO graduated at the University of Sheffield in 1991 with a degree in Philosophy and Sociology before undertaking a Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course. She commenced her legal career working firstly with the Commission for Racial Equality, practising in the field of race discrimination and employment and now specialises in Immigration and Employment Law. She has over 10 years experience in Immigration and Asylum law.

Gillian Koshi has been with Blavo and Co Solicitors since June 2001 practising mainly in the field of Immigration, Nationality, Asylum and Human Rights Law.   She became Head of the Immigration Department in August 2006 and was made Partner in April 2007.    Gillian Koshi  is accredited at supervisor level stage and represents Appellants at the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal on a regular basis.

DAVID HODGE is an Associate Solicitor in our Employment Law department. He qualified in 1979.  He has practiced solely in Employment Law since 1994.  He has worked as in house lawyer for a number of organisations including local government, Employment Law consultants and professional associations as well as in private practice. 

David has considerable experience in dealing with all aspects of Employment Law from advising individuals through to the largest employers in the U.K. and dealing with matters from simple and straightforward cases to those that are exceptionally complex.  He has represented clients at Employment Tribunals throughout the UK and has dealt with appeal cases at the Employment Appeal Tribunal, court of Appeal and House of Lords.

His experience spans working with clients in almost all types of employment from Architects to Zoos.

KATARZYNA (KATRINA) PODKOWIK is an Associate Solicitor with extensive experience and knowledge in Mental Health Law. Katarzyna qualified as a Solicitor in April 2008. Katarzyna has extensive knowledge of the Mental Health Law and she has been representing clients at Care Programme Approach meetings, appeals before the Hospital Managers and the Mental Health Review Tribunal hearings with respect to their detention under the provisions of sections 2, 3, 37, 37/41, 47/48 and 47/49 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

In addition, during her training contract she has gained an invaluable insight into the Criminal, Housing, Conveyance and Civil Law. Katarzyna is Mental Health Review Tribunal Accredited and undertakes Judicial Review in mental health matters. She also represents clients at the Police Stations. She is a fluent Polish language speaker.

LEE-ANN FRAMPTON-ANDERSON is an Associate Solicitor in the Mental Health and Criminal Departments. Lee-Ann qualified as a Solicitor in 2007. She has extensive knowledge in Mental Health Law with wide ranging experience in representing clients at Care Programme Approach meetings, Hospital Managers and before the Mental Health Review Tribunals with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3, 37, 37/41, 47/48 and 47/49 of the Mental Health Act. Lee-Ann is a member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel and police station accredited.

MARK FIDLER qualified in December 1992 and has worked predominantly in the field of Criminal Law. He has dealt with every area from drink-drive to murder. He is both a Police Station and Court Duty solicitor and is an experienced advocate in the Magistrate Court covering all aspects including trials. He is also highly experienced in the preparation of cases when they reach the Crown Court.  He has gained wide experience in fraud work involving large scale serious fraud cases. This has included cases with an international aspect involving travelling abroad to make enquiries. Prior to joining Blavo & Co, Mark held the post of Fraud Supervisor at his previous firm.

MAUREEN CHIGBOH-ANYADI is an Associate Solicitor specialising in Property and Housing Law. She provides advice on residential and commercial property and acts on behalf of a range of property owners in the purchase and sale of residential and commercial properties.

She also advices in all aspects of Housing Law including possession actions, eviction, disrepair, homelessness and anti-social behaviour. She is particularly interested in housing problems and their effect on vulnerable people.

Maureen has a dual qualification as a Solicitor in England and Wales with over 6 years experience in private practices in North London. She is also a Barrister of the Supreme Court of Nigeria with over 15 years experience in that jurisdiction.

Maureen is a member of the Housing Law Practitioners Association, Family Law Panel Member (Resolution), Member of the International Division of the Law Society and Association of Women Solicitors.

CHAY ALEXIS graduated with degree in Business Studies and then went on to study for his Common Professional Examinations and then onto his LPC. He has been a qualified Solicitor since 2002. He has a vast experience in Housing Law, landlord and tenant and civil litigation matters. Chay has over 5 years experience in dealing with all types of housing matters, possession, disrepair, homelessness and mortgage repossession. He is also experienced in leasehold matters and leasehold disputes. He has extensive knowledge in civil litigation matters such as breach of contract and recovering monies owed. 

DEANALOY GRANT is a Solicitor at Blavo & Co.   She attended Westminster University where she gained a Paralegal Diploma in Legal Practice and completed her Legal Practice Course.  Deanaloy has extensive experience in Mental Health Law.  She represents clients at Care Programme Approach meetings, Hospital Managers hearings and First Tier Tribunals with respect to clients detained under sections 2,3,37, 37/41 and 47/49 of the Mental Health Act.  Deanaloy is a member of the Mental Health Tribunal Panel Accreditation Scheme.

Deanaloy also undertakes work in the Family department, specialising in Divorce, Relationship break down and Children matters.  She is fully committed to producing a high standard of work for all her clients.  She endeavours to use professionalism and sensitivity which is vital in the areas in which she works.

DAVID ALLAN graduated from Durham University with a degree in Law before studying the LPC at Northumbria University.  He qualified as a Solicitor in 2008 from Juliet Bellis & Co Solicitors where he gained extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, Company Law and commercial contracts acting primarily for a listed property services company.  David also has expertise and experience in corporate insolvency, intellectual property and IT law.

DONALD TIONG graduated from University of Buckingham with an LLB and LLM Degree.  A former Barrister but later qualified as a Solicitor in 2004. He began his legal career at Bullivant & Partners in their respected Housing and Mental Health Departments.  Later he joined the Criminal and Mental Health Departments at Aarons Solicitors in 2004 before joining Blavo & Co. Donald has a keen interest in all aspects of Mental Health law including Judicial Reviews, and especially enjoys the client contact and advocacy this involves.  He is motivated by a sense of justice and fairness and this is the driving force that ensures that he gives everything to achieve a positive outcome for his clients.

ELAINE ADDY is a Solicitor with an extensive knowledge and experience in Mental Health Law. She represents clients at Care Programme Approach meetings, Hospital Managers Hearings, and Mental Health Review Tribunals, with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3, and 37 of the Mental Health Act.  Elaine is also able to prepare cases for those clients who are detained under sections 37/41, 47/48, 47/49 on behalf of other more experienced caseworkers.

EMMANUEL OSAE is a Solicitor in the Mental Health department. Emmanuel qualified as a Solicitor in 2007. He has an extensive knowledge in Mental Health Law with wide ranging experience in representing clients at Care Programme Approach meetings, Hospital Managers and before the Mental Health Review Tribunals with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3, 37, 37/41, 47/48 and 47/49 of the Mental Health Act. Emmanuel is also a member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel.

FLORENCE AGBEJULE is a Consultant and a solicitor with over ten years experience in Family Law. Prior to joining Blavo and Co, Florence was a Partner for 8 years with a London based firm. She is a member of Resolution (first for Family Law) and has been a member of the Law Society Family Law Panel since 1999. She undertakes both private and public funded work in all areas of Family Law.

JOANNE EDWARDS is Head of our Family Department and qualified as a Solicitor in 1999.  She joined Blavo and Co earlier this year, having spent 12 years at her previous firm where she attained Senior Solicitor status and was the designated Supervisor in both the Family and Criminal Departments.

She has extensive experience in all family matters including divorce and matrimonial finance, domestic violence, public and private children matters, cohabitation and international family law.  She undertakes both private and publicly funded work.

Joanne is a member of the Law Society's Family Law Panel and Child Panel.

At her previous firm she was Director of Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre, a charitable organisation advising on all aspects of Domestic Violence.

She is an experienced advocate who deals with her cases in a sensitive and professional manner.

KEZIA DALEY read Law at Westminster University and completed her LPC at the College of Law. Kezia qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 specialising in Nationality, Immigration and Asylum law, with an increasing interest in Human Rights Law.
Kezia is a supervisor within our Immigration department and is also accredited to level two under IAAS. She can offer advice in all areas of Asylum, Immigration and Nationality.
Kezia also represents clients at the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal. She also deals with applications to the High Court and the Court of Appeal.  
She has experience in both Mental Health and Employment law.

LESLIE KISSEIH is a Solicitor in the Criminal and Mental Health Departments. He has extensive experience of Mental Health Law and has represented clients who have been subject to the Criminal Legal System as well as other admissions to hospital; representing clients before Mental Health Review Tribunals. Leslie also represents clients before the Magistrates’ Courts and at Police Stations. In addition, he has experience in Nationality and Immigration Law.

LINDA DAVIES is an Employment Law Solicitor at the Firm. She has practiced Employment Law for over 10 years and has  extensive experience in advising employers and employees on a wide range of Employment Law issues covering disciplinary and grievances, drafting of contracts and  advise on all aspects of unfair dismissal, Tupe transfers, discrimination and  whistle blowing.

Her unique blend of experience spans the commercial, voluntary and public sectors.

Linda is a member of the Employment Law Association.

MICHELLE MWANGI is a law graduate who completed her LPC at the College of Law. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2005. She has extensive experience in Mental Health Law and has represented clients before Mental Health Tribunals. She is also a member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel. Michelle is also experienced in Criminal matters and has represented clients on restricted Mental Health cases, as well as Immigration and Nationality Law.

MINAL PATEL qualified as a Solicitor in November 2003 and has worked predominantly in the field of Criminal Law. She has dealt with all areas from Road Traffic Offences through to rape and murder. She is both a police station and court duty solicitor. She has gained wide experience by attending the Magistrates Court to represent clients in all aspects of their cases and is also experienced in the preparation of cases when they reach the Crown Court.

NISHA KARIA qualified in March 2006 and is a Solicitor in the Family Department specialising in children and financial matters following divorce, judicial separation or relationship breakdown.
She advises on Children Act matters including residence, contact and public law (care proceedings).  Her advice is delivered with care and sensitivity – as is her approach to financial matters including the division of matrimonial assets.
She has a great deal of experience in filing injunctions and emergency applications, including the removal of a child from a particular jurisdiction and matters relating to domestic violence.
Nisha is fluent in Gujarati.   

SHARON QUAYE-KUMAH is a Solicitor with extensive experience and knowledge in Mental Health Law. She represents clients at Care Programme Approach meetings, Hospital Managers and before the Mental Health Review Tribunals with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3, 37 and 37/41 of the Mental Health Act. Sharon is also able to prepare cases for those clients who are detained under sections 47/48 and 47/49 on behalf of other more experienced caseworkers.

Sharon is a member of the Mental Health Tribunal Panel Accreditation Scheme.

TANYA DODO graduated from the University of Sussex with a BA Hons degree in Law and French and completed her Legal Practice Course at the University of Westminster. Tanya has been a qualified Solicitor since 2006. Tanya's work covers the full spectrum of Family Law including divorce, ancillary relief, cohabitation and children matters.

ANNE-MARIE ELLIOTT is a Trainee Solicitor in the Mental Health Law department. Anne-Marie represents clients at Care Programme Approach meetings and Hospital Managers with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3 and 37 of the Mental Health Act. Anne-Marie is also able to prepare cases for those clients who are detained under sections 37/41, 47/48, 47/49 on behalf of other more experienced caseworkers.

RAJAN NAKRANI is a Trainee Solicitor in the Mental Health Department. He completed his LLB Law Degree in 2006 and Legal Practice Course in 2007. Rajan is an experienced member of the Mental Health Team and has been with Blavo & Co since 2005. He represents clients in all aspects of their care from Care Programme Approach Meetings to First Tier Tribunals. Rajan represents clients detained in hospital under section 2, 3 and 37 and also clients in the community under Community Treatment Orders (section 17A).  He also prepares cases on behalf of solicitors for clients detained under section 37/41, 47/48, 47/49. Rajan is fluent in Gujarati and has a wide range of skills that enable him to represent different types of clients from all backgrounds including clients under the age 18 to the elderly. Rajan takes pride in establishing good working relationships with his clients and believes this is a fundamental aspect of his work. He does his upmost to deliver a high standard of client care to ensure a successful outcome for his clients. 

ALISON HILLS graduated from the University of Hertfordshire with my LLB (Hons) Law degree in 2005. She was then elected as the vice - president (student support) of the students union and had responsibility of running the advice and support centre on campus, where she would advise and represent students on a wide variety of matters such as housing, employment, benefits, criminal and academic matters. She worked here for 13 months and then commenced employment as a personal injury paralegal and worked in this field for 4 years, whereby gaining vast knowledge and experience of the litigation process. She completed her LPC at Hertfordshire in 2007, and is now undertaking a Masters which she is due to complete at the end of September.

ADEEL SOHAIB is a Caseworker in our Welfare Benefit department and completed an LLB (Hons) and LLM (International Trade Law) at Northumbria University.
He has had the opportunity to further develop his legal skills outside the academic framework of the university. His experience of advising Avalcom investments at their International sales was stimulating and challenging. He developed high levels of customer service, communication and client management skills.
Adeel joined Blavo and co in May 2009.

BUEMAKU PUPLAMPU is a Caseworker in the Mental Health Department. She completed her LLB Law degree in 2005 and her Legal Practice course in 2007.

Buemaku joined Blavo and Co in March 2009 and is able to prepare cases for clients who are detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.

CHRISTIANA AJILORE is an experienced Caseworker in the Mental Health department. After graduating with an LLB Law degree, Christiana went on to complete her LPC at the College of Law.  In 2008 she acquired her LLM at the University of Westminster.  Christiana advises and assists patients at Care Programme Approach meetings with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3, 37, 37/41, 47, 47/49, 17a, 25a of the Mental Health Act 1983 as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007. Christiana is also able to prepare cases for those clients who are detained under sections 37/41, 47/48, 47/49 on behalf of Solicitors. Christiana is supervised by Miss Katarzyna Podkowik, a Solicitor in the Mental Health Department.

CIARA PANAYIOTOU is a Caseworker in the Mental Health department. She completed her LLB at the University of Hertfordshire and her LPC at City University. Ciara joined Blavo & Co Solicitors in May 2009.

DANE PEDRO works as a Caseworker within our Welfare Benefits/Debt Department and has 3 years extensive experience within both areas. Her work includes providing advice to clients about their debts, ranging from council tax, rent/ mortgage arrears to unsecured debt. She is able to negotiate with creditors on the affordable repayment of client’s debts and assists individuals who wish to go through the bankruptcy process.

Dane also advises clients on a number of benefits issues including Income Support, Housing/Council tax benefit to name a few and assists with the overpayment and underpayment of such benefits. She also prepares appeal submissions and regularly represents clients at the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal

DAVID LIU completed his LPC at the London College of Law specializing in the social aspect of the Law. He has experience in Housing law, Criminal law, as well as Conveyancing.

David joined Blavo and Co in February 2009 and works as a Caseworker in the Housing department.

DRAKENS MUKORO is a caseworker in Mental Health Law. He has an extensive experience in representing clients at Care Programme Approach meetings, Hospital Managers and before the Mental Health Review Tribunals with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3, 37, 37/41, 47/48 and 47/49 of the Mental Health Act.
Drakens is also a member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel.

KRISTAL PENROSE graduated from the University of Hertfordshire in 2007 with an LLB Law degree before undertaking the Legal Practice Course at Inns of Court School of Law, City University.  She commenced her legal career at Barnes and Partners Solicitors where she gained experience in their Property, Family and Litigation Departments.

Kristal joined Blavo and Co Solicitors in February 2009 as a Caseworker in the Mental Health Law Department. Kristal is able to prepare cases for clients who are detained under sections 2, 3 and 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

KATHRYN REECE-THOMAS graduated from the University of Newcastle-upon- Tyne in 2004 with an LLB Law degree. Following this, Kathryn went on to undertake the BVC at the College of Law, London, where she left with a very competent grade. Kathryn was called to the Bar in 2005 and is a member of Inner Temple.

Before joining Blavo and co, Kathryn was employed at several leading Criminal firms and has a broad range of experience in Criminal Law.

Furthermore, she has gained substantial experience as a Prison law paralegal where she represented clients in a range of matters.

LORRAINE FRIEND is a caseworker in the Mental Health Law department. Lorraine represents clients at Care Programme Approach meetings and Hospital Managers with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3 and 37 of the Mental Health Act. Lorraine is also able to prepare cases for those clients who are detained under sections 37/41, 47/48, 47/49 on behalf of other more experienced caseworkers.

MARTIN MORINA is a Caseworker in the Housing department. He holds a Law Degree (LLB) from Birkbeck College (University of London) and a Masters Law degree from University College London. He joined Blavo and Co in June 2009 from Bennett Wilkins Solicitors and has experience in dealing with different areas of housing matters including possession, disrepair and homelessness.

MARZENA PUZNIAK is a caseworker in the Mental Health Law department. Marzena represents clients at Care Programme Approach meetings and Hospital Managers with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3 and 37 of the Mental Health Act. Marzena is also able to prepare cases for those clients who are detained under sections 37/41, 47/48, 47/49 on behalf of other more experienced caseworkers.

MYLENE CHATELAIN is an experienced Caseworker in the Mental Health department. Mylene graduated with a Bachelors of Laws from the University of Kent at Canterbury in 2007. Mylene advises and assists patients at Care Programme Approach meetings with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3, 37, 37/41, 47, 47/49, 17a, 25a of the Mental Health Act 1983 as amended by 2007 Act. Mylene is also able to prepare cases for those clients who are detained under sections 37/41, 47/48, 47/49 on behalf of Solicitors. Mylene is supervised by a Solicitor, Miss Katarzyna Podkowik.  

NATALIE SOOKHOO graduated from Kingston University in 2007 with an LLB Law degree. She then completed the Bar Vocational Course at the Inns of Court School of Law, City University.

Natalie is a member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn and was called to the Bar in March 2008.

She commenced her legal career at LCS Solicitors where she gained extensive experience in Consumer Credit law.

Furthermore, she is a fluent French speaker.

Natalie joined Blavo & Co Solicitors in March 2009 as a Caseworker in the Mental Health Law department.

PRISCILLA VEERASAMY graduated from Middlesex University in 2005 with an LLB.  Following this, Priscilla went to do her PGD in Employment Law. She then completed her BVC at BPP Law School.   

Priscilla is a member of the Honorable Society of the Lincoln's Inn. She commenced her legal career at Leigh Day & Co in their Complex Claim Department.   

Furthermore, Priscilla also worked as an adviser for the CAB in Wolverhampton.  Priscilla is also a fluent French speaker. 

RODICA PINTEA-AUSTIN holds an MA in Indonesian and Malay Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London University. She went on to develop a successful international career which encompassed international banking, the oil industry and international public relations. Rodica led the back-up office for the Indonesian delegations to OPEC, was press officer to the Indonesian presidential party at FAO, Rome and addressed the United Nations in New York on the question of East Timor. Subsequently she attained a Post Graduate Diploma in Law and was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn. Rodica is a qualified Mental Capacity Act Advocate with a keen interest in mental health and criminal law. Apart from English Rodica speaks fluently Romanian, Indonesian and Malay and is a qualified translator (Indonesian into English). She has a number of specialist publications and literary translations. Rodica plays the gamelan and Stroh violin and enjoys rugby, cooking and travel.
Rodica is a Caseworker in the Mental Health department.

ROBERT A. PARATHIAN LLB (Hons). LPC Diploma. MSc. BA began his career in the National Health Service as a clinician and progressed into Higher Education as a University Senior Lecturer teaching Mental Health and Psychology for many years.

He then studied Law, attaining a law degree, successfully followed by the Diploma in Legal Practice.

In summer 2008, he joined Blavo and Co. as a Caseworker in the Mental Health Department. During his Legal Practice Studies, for several months he has worked part-time in a Family Law Firm, with experience in the County Court and Crown Court.

RICHARD QUAINYIN is a Paralegal in Mental Health Law. He has extensive experience in representing clients at Care Programme Approach meetings, Hospital Managers and before the Mental Health Review Tribunals with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3, 37 and 37/41 of the Mental Health Act. Richard is also able to prepare cases for those clients who are detained under sections 47/48 and 47/49 on behalf of other more experienced caseworkers.

SEYDE HASSAN is a Law graduate from City University London. She is a Caseworker in the Mental Health Department.

Seyde joined Blavo & Co in February 2009 and is able to prepare cases for clients who are detained under sections 2, 3 and 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

SIAN BRADLEY is a Caseworker in the Mental Health Law department. After graduating from Queen Mary University with an LLB, Siān completed the LPC at BPP Law School in London. Siān represents clients detained under the Mental Health Act.

TAHMEENA QURESHI has joined Blavo & Co in the Mental Health Team in February 2009. She has worked in the legal industry for a year and half and practiced various areas including Wills & Probate, Employment, Property, Debt Recovery, and Commercial Law. 

TRYVANA EKLADIOUS is a Caseworker in the Mental Health Law Department. After graduating from the University of Reading with an LLB, Tryvana completed her LPC at BPP Law School in London.  Tryvana represents clients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. She also speaks Arabic.

VERNON SELLAHEWA completed the LPC at the College of Law London, following his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Kent at Canterbury.
Prior to joining Blavo & Co, he gained practical experience in Housing Law, Family Law and Criminal Law. He has also worked (part-time) for the past 7 years as an Auxiliary Nurse for the NHS.
Vernon prides himself on providing a professional, patient and friendly service to his clients at all times.
He enjoys numerous sports, attending the gym, martial arts and travelling.

VALERIE THOMPSON-SPARKS is an experienced caseworker in the Immigration Department and joined Blavo and Co in 2005, bringing a varied background in teaching (Jamaica and France); and community development and advice, when she worked mainly with refugee and community groups in Newham.  She also worked at a Law Centre for four years.

She has graduated from the University of the West Indies, Brunel University, and Birkbeck (University of London) where she studied law. She completed her Legal Practice Course at the University of Westminster.

Valerie’s work covers many aspects and stages of Immigration, Nationality and Asylum law.  Over the years she has developed a special interest in deportation cases.